Dr. Jessica Baker, Associate Professor at CEED, is launching a new series of research studies examining how and why ovarian hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, influence eating behaviors in people who experience binge eating or have an eating disorder. Many people report that their eating-related behaviors change across the menstrual cycle. We don’t yet know exactly which hormones are involved in these changes or why they occur.

People who join the ORchED research studies will take study prescribed medications that alter your estrogen and progesterone levels for 3 months, while we carefully monitor how your eating behaviors change over time.

One of the benefits of the studies is that you will get a personalized report of how your eating behaviors changed in response to the study medications. During a one on one meeting with Dr. Baker, you will learn 1) whether any of the changes you experienced indicate “risky” phases of the menstrual cycle (when you might experience more [or fewer] symptoms), 2) potential warning signs that might help you predict behavior changes, 3) strategies for coping with such changes, and 4) additional health recommendations and resources. This information may help you to manage eating disorder symptoms and also help with treatment planning.

We invite you to take our questionnaire if you are:

• Female
• Age 18-35
• Experience binge eating (loss of control eating) or may have bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder
• Regular menstrual cycle
• Not currently taking birth control or psychiatric medications

We are currently recruiting for two research studies. Click here to complete a short questionnaire to see if you might be eligible or visit our website to learn more about these studies. If you would like to get more information about the study, you are welcome to contact us at orched@unc.edu or 984-215-5519.